Caramelized Monkey Bread #SundaySupper

1.06.2013

Bucket
lists. That´s what we decided to tackle as our first post with the SundaySupper group.

A new year, a new recipe crossed off the list. The List. If I
ever thought that starting a food blog would shorten it, of course I was wrong
by a gazillion light years. The List is relentless in it´s urgency, each item
more important than the last one, which seemed so urgent at the time.

So, what´s on your bucket list as you start the year? You might find what you need today here, or you might just add a few dozen new ones. That´s how good the list of recipes is.

The List
has two types of recipes, the ones I need to tackle because of a certain
technique I want to master and the ones that just need to be made because I´ve
been wanting to for ever, and that is a long time according to the years I´ve
been cooking, like this monkey bread.

I don´t
think I ever saw a monkey bread pic that I didn´t find amazing. Yet here I am
making it for the first time.

This recipe is from Mel who has an amazing blog. Really, that woman can come up with some of the most incredible recipes. Not to mention the cutest kids. I know, I know, your kids are the cutest.

Before the last rise

Little
balls of bread dipped first in butter and then in brown sugar with cinnamon, and
baked until a caramel like situation forms around them. It´s like the best
combination ever, for breakfast, snack, movie watching, the perfect sugar/starch craving soother. Or
just because you wanted to make something really decadent and fun to eat.

You
probably have every ingredient in your house. You can use white sugar only,
or another spice or citrus zest, or a boozy glaze, which of course I did, the
latter. I added rum instead of milk, because I really can´t help myself. Please, please eat it while it´s warm. And then lick your fingers.

My sugar coated balls of dough look two different colors because they were. I ran out of light brown sugar and had to go with dark brown for the last part.

Mine
unmolded pretty nicely, something that is achieved only if done within the
first minutes after taking it out of the oven, but three pics later it started
to fall apart. Which made it even more impossible not to start eating at once.
After all it was falling apart. Interesting how fast one can pop these bites
and not even realize a huge chunk of monkey bread is gone.

One last
thing. About that dipping in melted butter and then in sugar. You have two
hands, and it´s a good decision to use one for each chore. So, if you don´t
follow my advice and end up with two hands thickly buttered and sugared, so
much that you have to wash them before you realize you´ve done it again, and
again, and again, don´t come here to complain.

I always say I'm going to make monkey bread and then I don't because I remind myself out bad it is for me! Seeing yours, just gets me in the mood for it again! I just need to invite some friends over to share!

I love monkey bread, and have such fond memories of making it with my mom as a girl for special occasions (Christmas or Thanksgiving morning usually). I have not made it in years though...this makes me want to whip one up again!

This looks delicious and I laughed at the mental image of hands covered in butter and sugar! Love it! I'm still formulating my bucket list (I feel like it's always growing haha!), but hope to start tackling some of the items starting today. :)

I love monkey bread (in part because of the name) but I've never made it. I love your rum-infused dark brown sugar version and I don't think I would be able to contain myself from finishing that thing off entirely fresh out of the oven!

Paula, you knew I was already excited to see this recipe - it looks absolutely amazing and I am quite positive this is going on my bucket list this year. I will make it. I will, I will. Btw: Feel free to bring me some ANY TIME!

We love Monkey Bread and it is so easy to make into a million different flavors. We mostly make sweet but I keep seeing savory versions that are on our bucket list. You make me want to go out and get the ingredients now! Looks amazing!

I TOTALLY know what you mean about The List, Paula. I always add an item that I just HAVE to make and then as soon as I've made it, instead of celebrating the accomplishment I turn immediately to the next recipe that HAS to be made. It's a relentless, unending cycle but as food bloggers, that is our lot in life! I ADORE monkey bread - I mean, what's not to love? Yours looks soooooo incredibly delicious. I wish I were there to help you eat it.

Monkey bread is on my bucket list as well, Paula. I am so happy you checked it off your list and gave us this beautiful creation. It turned out absolutely gorgeous. What a great idea to tackle it with the Sunday Supper club. I always mean to join and miserably fail at deadlines.

You are so right about every Monkey Bread photo looking delicious, including yours now! I comment you for washing those hands instead of just licking the butter and sugar off. :) Just added this to my own bucket list!

Paula, I have really been wanting to make a Monkey Bread for the longest times - the kids would love for me it, I am sure. And now that I have seen your terrific version and the wonderful pictures, I am encouraged to finally make one!

I have never had a monkey bread - now I want to try it! What isn't good about that combination? Hmmmm... I have to think about bucket list recipes. Probably a Gateau St. Honoré - my mother made me one for my birthday when I was a teen, and I have always wanted to try making one. What a great idea instead of a New Year's resolution - a bucket list fulfillment! ~ David